Advertisement

Christie attacks Paul's libertarian views on national security

ASPEN, Colo., July 26 (UPI) -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says some Democrats and Republicans, including Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., have "dangerous" libertarian views on national security.

Christie -- considered a likely contender for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 -- speaking Thursday at a forum in Aspen, Colo., defended the National Security Agency's gathering of intelligence on patterns of Internet traffic and phone calls.

Advertisement

"This strain of libertarianism that's going through parties right now and making big headlines I think is a very dangerous thought," Christie said.

When asked if he was talking about Paul Christie said, "You can name any number of people and he's one of them."

Paul -- who has said he believes the NSA program is unconstitutional -- is believed to be considering a presidential run, as is U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who has also criticized the NSA intelligence gathering.

The House this week defeated an amendment to a defense spending bill that would have barred the NSA from gathering the data.

Christie called the debate over NSA data collection "esoteric, intellectual" and said opponents of the practice should visit with "the widows and orphans" of New Jersey residents killed in the Sept. 22, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Advertisement

"And they won't, because that's a much tougher conversation to have," he said.

Latest Headlines